2026-27 Season
Awards
DanceMakers recognizes excellence through a comprehensive awards system. From adjudication scores to overall high scores, we celebrate outstanding performances across all categories and age divisions.
Adjudication Awards
All routines will be adjudicated by three of the DanceMakers judges.
Solo routines will receive an adjudication score in your registration portal, but will not be announced for an adjudication award. All soloist will receive a participation award.
Duo/Trio and Group routines will receive an adjudication score in your registration portal and will be announced during their designated awards ceremony.
All routines that score 80 points or higher qualify to compete at Nationals.
If a routine performing was choreographed by one of the judges, that judge will only critique the routine and the score will be an average of the other two judges.
| Adjudication | Points |
|---|---|
| High 1st Place | 96-100 |
| 1st Place | 90-95 |
| High 2nd Place | 85-89 |
| 2nd Place | 80-84 |
| 3rd Place | 70-79 |
Solo Overall Awards
10th - 14th Runner Up
Recognition
Special recognition in each age division (Camp Dance, Junior, Pre-Teen, Teen or Senior).
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony on Sunday.
1st - 9th Runner Up
Plaque
Runner up placements in each age division (Camp Dance, Junior, Pre-Teen, Teen or Senior).
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony on Sunday.
High Score
Plaque / Free Entry to Nationals
Highest scoring solo in each age division (Camp Dance, Junior, Pre-Teen, Teen or Senior).
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony on Sunday.
* DanceMakers reserves the rights to extend placement awards depending on the number of registered routines.
Duo/Trio Overall Awards
Style High Score
Plaque
Duo/Trio High Score in each age division (Camp Dance, Junior, Pre- Teen, Teen or Senior) and style (Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop or Open).
Example: "Junior Tap Duo/Trio High Score"
Announced at the routine's assigned awards ceremony on either Friday or Saturday evening.
Judges' Pick
Plaque
Routines the judges pick for special recognition in each age division nondependent on scores.
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony.
Directors' Pick
Plaque
Routines that the directors pick for special recognition in each age division nondependent on scores.
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony.
Age Division Duo/Trio 2nd - 3rd Place
Plaque
Duo/Trio 2nd - 3rd Place in each age division (Camp Dance, Junior, Pre- Teen, Teen or Senior).
Example: "Junior Duo/Trio 2nd Place"
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony on Sunday.
Age Division Duo/Trio High Score
Acrylic Award / 50% off Routine Entry for Nationals
Duo/Trio High Score in each age division (Camp Dance, Junior, Pre- Teen, Teen or Senior) excluding Category High Scores.
Example: "Junior Duo/Trio High Score"
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony on Sunday.
Overall Duo/Trio High Score
Acrylic Award / Free Entry to Nationals
Highest Scoring Duo/Trio.
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony on Sunday.
* DanceMakers reserves the rights to extend placement awards depending on the number of registered routines.
* A routine can only win 1 overall award. For example, if a Teen Jazz Duo/Trio wins Overall Duo/Trio High Score, it cannot also win Teen Duo/Trio High Score.
Group Overall Awards
Style High Score
Plaque
High Score in each age division (Camp Dance, Junior, Pre- Teen, Teen or Senior), category (Group, Line, Extended Line or Production) and style (Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop or Open).
Example: "Junior Tap Group High Score"
Announced at the routine's assigned awards ceremony on either Friday or Saturday evening.
DanceAgain!
Performance / Plaque
Judges choose their favorite routines to Dance Again at the Wrap It Ceremony on Sunday and are nondependent on scores.
These routines will perform LIVE during our Wrap It Ceremony on Sunday.
Judges' Pick
Plaque
Routines the judges pick for special recognition in each age division and category nondependent on scores.
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony.
Directors' Pick
Plaque
Routines that the directors pick for special recognition in each age division and category nondependent on scores.
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony.
Age Division Category High Score
Plaque
High Score in each age division (Camp Dance, Junior, Pre- Teen, Teen or Senior) and category (Group, Line, Extended Line or Production).
Example: "Junior Group High Score"
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony on Sunday.
Age Division Category 2nd - 3rd Place
Plaque
2nd - 3rd Place in each age division (Camp Dance, Junior, Pre- Teen, Teen or Senior) and category (Group, Line, Extended Line or Production).
Example: "Junior Group 2nd Place"
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony on Sunday.
Age Division High Score
Acrylic Award / 50% off Routine Entry for Nationals
High Score in each age division (Camp Dance, Junior, Pre- Teen, Teen or Senior).
Example: "Junior High Score"
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony on Sunday.
Overall High Score
Acrylic Award / Free Entry to Nationals
Highest Score in all of group competition excluding Category High Scores and Age Division High Scores.
Announced at the Wrap It Ceremony on Sunday.
* DanceMakers reserves the rights to extend placement awards depending on the number of registered routines.
* A routine can only win 1 overall award. For example, if a Senior Tap Line wins Overall High Score, it cannot also win Senior Line High Score.
Studio Awards
The Shaffer Studio
Acrylic Award / $100 Competition Voucher for Nationals
This will be awarded to the studio that shows support, encouragement, professionalism and shares their love for dance with others throughout the event. This award is in honor of Mr. Doug Shaffer who has shared his love of dance with others for many years.
Best Studio Choreography
Acrylic Award / $100 Competition Voucher for Nationals
This will be awarded to the studio that has the best overall choreography throughout competition.
The Standout Studio
Acrylic Award / $100 Competition Voucher for Nationals
This will be awarded to the studio that stands out in convention work and competition performance.
The Breakthrough Studio
Acrylic Award / $100 Competition Voucher for Nationals
This will be awarded to the studio that has the most overall improvement.
Studio of the Weekend
Acrylic Award / $250 Competition Voucher for Nationals
This is awarded to the studio who embodies greatness in all aspects during the weekend! This includes, but is not limited to, competition, convention, and the in-between moments throughout the event. This studio represents the highest caliber in dance, along with being supportive and encouraging to other dancers. The Studio of the Weekend is to represent DanceMakers values and mission and is meant to inspire other studios throughout the country.
*A studio can only win one studio award a weekend.
Questions About Awards?
Have questions about our awards system or recognition programs? Our team is here to help!
Contact Us